Page 29 of Promised Vows

“No,” Lucas and I said at the same time.

I continued, “Sweetheart, your mom loves you. I can promise you that.”

I dug in my wallet and pulled out my card. “When you get home, if you don’t have the money to see a counselor, tell them to call this number. You and your mom will need to see one. Okay?”

She nodded.

“As soon as we can, we’re going to take you to my aunt’s house until we can get a hold of your mom. My aunt has helped a lot of girls like you. After that, we’re going to get you reunited with your mom. All right?”

“Okay.”

“Lucas, I’ll need you to take care of Anna. After I’ve taken care of Samantha, I’ll send a recording.”

He opened his mouth to speak.

“You can’t talk me out of this. No one can.”

In the span of a few seconds, we had a full-on unspoken conversation. Gianna was getting her second round of vengeance.

Lucas looked at me like he was debating what to say next. “Start at Franklin’s house. Claire said there was a secret drawer in his desk. I seriously doubt Franklin wouldn’t have insurance.”

“Thanks.”

I’d be adding to my body count and the city would need to elect a new mayor and police chief. Depending on the information I could get at Franklin’s or extract from one of them, there was a good chance there’d be a significant turnover with the city’s finest too.

Chapter Thirteen

ANNA

After four days of house arrest, I was going stir-crazy. There was zipp-ity do dah to do other than watch TV, read, or cook. I had no idea a man could have that many cookbooks in his study. What was he? A master chef?

I stretched, my toes hitting the end of the mahogany leather sofa. It felt like I was lying on butter. Soft, supple, and without a doubt the most comfortable couch my butt had ever touched. Two black damask patterned wing-back armchairs complemented it, framing the wood and black iron coffee table in the middle.

Rolling my head, the little blue box glared at me from where Ari had placed it. Merely looking at it threw me back in time. He'd teased me about the kiss, and I was determined to fight his magnetism. One second I was huffing and puffing, the next he had me across his lap, forcing me to look at him.

As my gaze drifted around the room, I found myself noticing details I'd overlooked in my initial anger. The whole space exuded a warmth and taste that I hadn't expected, a stark contrast to the cold, ruthless man I'd imagined Ari to be. As I looked around, I realized how much this space reflected Ari himself—warm, tasteful, and unexpectedly comforting. It made me wonder what other surprises he might hold.

The thought brought me back to that moment in the limo. He wanted me to want him. That statement had rocked my world, and then he'd pulled a rock from that little box. I'd never laid eyes on a piece of jewelry more beautiful. One he'd had made for me. He didn't even know me, and he'd thought I was worthy of more than something generic. How stinking romantic was that?

It’d been a beautiful moment he’d ruined when he told me that Thea had been through my apartment. The fury hit so fast and so hard that I couldn’t think straight. I was so blind with rage that I’d hurled anything hurtful that came to mind.

Our gazes had connected, and I could still see the anguish in his eyes. It’d been hours later when that vision had tugged at me. It broke my heart that I’d been the reason. He’d held me without question, told me that he wanted me to remember that he was redeemable, and the first time he did something I didn’t like, I’d raged like a spoiled toddler instead of listening to him. I wanted him to treat me as an equal, but the way I’d handled it was wrong.

There was no one to talk to, either. It was hard to make friends with people when everyone kept dumping me. I had a few casual friendships with people at work. I hadn’t even had a chance to make friends with Claire, and I didn’t even know if that was possible with Thea. I certainly didn’t feel comfortable enough to call or text them. They’d be on Ari’s side anyway.

Who was on my side? I snagged my phone from the coffee table and pulled up Papa’s number. He’d left me. Did I trust him not to hurt me again? Maybe this was a way we could start small. At least I’d have someone to talk to. This solitary confinement was pressing down on me so hard that I was ready to pop.

I typed out six different texts before I settled on one.

Hey Papa, how about we start slow? Tell me how you’ve been. What was Greece like?

Anna! Where have you been? I stopped by your apartment, and your neighbor across the hall said a tall woman had helped herself into your apartment. It’d been three days since she saw you. Are you okay?

I laughed. What a joke. Was I okay? No. I hadn’t been okay since I met with Jason. Did I tell him that? That was a little too deep for whatever thin relationship tightrope we were walking.

I promise I’m safe. I hope to return home soon.

Where are you? May I come see you?

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